Ukraine: Humanitarian Snapshot (as of 19 April 2018) [EN/UA/RU]

Despite the ‘Spring’ and ‘Easter’ ceasefires which began on 5 and 30 March respectively, clashes continued along both sides of the ‘contact line’ with severe impact on civilians. In March, shelling, mines and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) killed 5 civilians and injured 13. Key infrastructure, such as water and electricity facilities continued to be regularly affected by shelling and harsh weather conditions. On several occasions, over 400 000 people were left without water, electricity and heat for over 24 hours, due to the harsh weather conditions. With the arrival of spring, protection of civilians is a growing concern. Millions of civilians, including farmers and children are being exposed to heightened dangers due to mine contamination. Prolonged hostilities continue to stretch coping capacities of millions of people affected with increased food insecurity. According to the new Trend Analysis on Food Security and Socio-Economic Situation, after four years of armed conflict, one in five households (Government controlled area, GCA) experiences worsened food insecurity. The analysis further suggests that some 80 per cent of households reported applying negative coping strategies, including exhausting their meagre savings or spending their health expenditures, to afford food[1]. Against this background, the 2018 HRP remains severely underfunded. As of 19 April, only 3 per cent of the 2018 HRP was funded (US$ 6 million received out of US$ 187 million requested).